Clam-shell bucket.



APPLICATION FILLED MAY'ZI, 1908. RENEWED JULY 11, 1910.

N. E s R E D N A .L P.. N.

' OLAM SHELL BUCKET.

Patennt'ed Feb. 28, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

4N. PLFB, ANDBRSEN.

l CLAM SHELL. B11011111. APILIOATION FILED MAY 2 1, 190Jf` BENEWBD JULY 11l 1910.

Patented Feb. 28,1911

" 1HE mmm: Fna-:Rs ca., wAsHINamN, D. c,

. N.` P. E.' ANDERSEN.'

n GLAM SHELL BUGKET.l PPLIGATION FILED M1121, 1908. RENEWED JULY 11, 1910. V

Patented Fe 'mx vonnis PETERS co., wAsmNm'oN, D.

UNITED sTATEs NILS PETER ERIK ANDERSEN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR O/F ONE-HALF TO JUIIUS R. W. ANDERSON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PATENT OEE-ion.

CLAM-SHELL BUCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Application filed May 21, 1908, Serial No. 434,026. Renewed July 11, 1910. Serial No. 571,503.

To o/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Nits PETER ERIK Anh nnusEN, residing in Milwaukee, in the county ot Milwaukee and State ot Visconsin, have invented new and useful,liuproveu'ients in ClanrShell Buckets, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part ot this specification.

This invention has ttor its object to provide a clam shell bucket ot a construction which will permit its scoop members to have a maximum spread with a minimum head room or clearance lor vertical movement ot' the frame. The operatingl parts for the scoop members are so constructed and arranged that throughout their movements they contribute toward the accomplishment of the foregoing object to render the device most efficient in di'tlicult situations such as when operatingI within the hold of a vessel where the space above the materia-l is limited. l

Another object of this invention is to improve upon details of construction to produce 'a strong and etlicient clam shell bucket which will be simple in its arrangement and durable in use.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the clam shell bucket herein claimed, its parts and combinations of part-s and all equivalents.

Referring' to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in different views; F igure l is a front elevation ot a clam shell bucket constructed in accordance with this invention, shown in its closed position; Fig. Z is an end elevation thereof with parts of the cover' flange broken away tor clearness of illustration; Fig. 3 is a central sectional view on the plane of line 3 3 ot Fig. 2; Fig. 4l is a transverse sectional view thereof on theplane ot line 4 4; ot' Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevationof the clam shell bucket in its open or extended condition, with a. part of the chain reel broken away for cle-arness of illustration; and, Fig. 6 is a sectional plan View of the device in its open or extended position.

In these drawings l0 represents a pair ot triangular side :trames connected at their horizontal upper edges by a cover plate 1,1. with depending end flanges 12, all beine,` preferably formed of ,sheet metal. rlhe side trames toi-1n supports for a number of pins or rods which pass through them to support the operating' parts, such rods being praten ably held in place by keeper plates 13 secured to the side frames and tit-ting in notches ot the rods to prevent their turning as well as to prevent their longitudinal movement. Two ot these rods are located at the ends ot the side trames near thc top thcreoit to constitute link-supporting rods 1i, 'trom each of which a pair of links l5 are suspended, Each pair et links 15 supports a scoop member 16 by being loosely mounted on a rod 1T with its ends secured in the side walls ot the scoop member at the rear thereot and near the top, there being,` extensions 18 on the side walls of the scoop extending a considerable distance above the rods 1T. At the lower angle of the side frames one of the before-mentioned rods forms a tulcrum rod i9 on which bell crank levers 20 and 21 are tulcrumed. the one on the near side of the device having its longer end connected with a rod 22 which extends across the ends of the extensions 1S of one scoop and the other similarly connected to the other scoop on the far side ot the device. Each scoop also has a link 23 connected to its rod 22 at the other end from the connection of the bell crank lever and also connected to the fulcruln rod 19. The scoops are thus swung from the side frames by means of the links 15 and the bell crank levers and the links Q3, this double connection with the trame requiring the scoops to move in a fixed path and to change their inclination while doing so. The bell crank levers 2O and 21 constitute the means for swinging* the scoops, their shorter arms being connected to cables Qel and 25 respectively, the former passing around a pulley 26 on a rod 27 and the latter passingaround a pulley 28 on arod 29, so that the weight ot the apparatus when it is suspended' from these cables will serve to cause them to pull upwardly on the shorter arms of the bell crank levers so as to throw their longer arms outwardly and thus move the scoops to their extended positions as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The outward movenient of the scoops is limited by chains 80 which connect the rods 29 on the extensions with the flanges 12 atthe ends of the frame cover 11.

A rod 31 constitutes a drum rod with its ends engaged in the vertical central strip ot the side jl'raincs and has a pair of drains 552 loosely nionnted on it buty rigidly connected together, each carrying a. double chain reel 253. Each drinn is in etl'ect. a. groovod pulley \vilh a cable J-i-I- having ils cnd secured thereto and 'passing around in the grooveI and then over a pulley i, thc l1\\'o cables it constituting' the hoistii'igicables by moans of which the clani shell bucket is suspended when being' nioved `lroni place to place. l-ach groove ol the double chain rcel il?) of the drinn has a chain 3G fastened therein, the. txvo chains 'tor each dl'uln l'ieing prefer- Iably secured by incans of a single pin 3T as shown in Figi'. -l-, and these chains connect 'with curved chain guides 38 which extend from the rods to the rods 17 at. each side of the. shell sections` said chains fitting` in the grooved curved bearing' surface of the `guides and adjustablif connected to them iicai' their connections with thc rodsl li by :idjustiiig bolts iff). By means of the adjusting` bolts the chains may be tigl'itened or loosened to accomplish their proper adjustment. The. curvature of the chain guides 3S causes the desired variation of leverage in the different positions of the scoops. lli/Then the clamshell bucket is in its extended position, as shown in Fig'. and resting` upon the material to be con vcyed, the cables Sel on being tightened. while the cables 24 and 25 are released, will unwind from the drums 32 and cause said drums to turn and wind u p the chains S36 to draw the scoops together, said scoops moving almost horizont-ally and changing' their inclination as they progress to constitute opposing shovels and gather the material therein until their cutting edges come together as shown in Figs. l and 3, when further movement of the drums is prevented and the clam shell bucket is lifted with its load by further draft upon the hoisting cables 34. Then the Weight of theclam shell bucket is transferred from the hoistingl cables 34 to the cables Q-l and Q5, the bell crank levers 20 and 2l are swung thereby to open the scoops as shown in Figs. 5 and G and discharge the load.

The pulleys 2G, 28 and 35 are so positioned that the cables 2st, 25 and 34 are in alinement across the center of the frame and are similarly placed with respect to the center to avoid uneven suspension.

All of the. parts on the rods of the device are suitably spaced by sleeves or collars to hold them in their proper positions, and by reason of the removable keeper plates 13 any rod may be removed for repairs Without disturbing the remainder of the machine.

The present invention is designed to improve upon existing constructions wherein scoop members are swung from a frame by means of links and levers,y but wherein said levers are-n'iounted on pivotal axes distant from each other and swing from a position below their shafts for the' open condition of the scoop nicnibcrs lowai'l/iaich othcr and to :i position above their s ialfts for the closet-l condition ol' thcl scoop members. ()nc of the advantages lgrained b v'"the present invention over Isuch conslructibns above referred lo is that by .iiountingi' the scoop operatingr levers on thi` saine or practically t-lie saine pivotal axis they are enabled to increase the Ispread ol' thc .scoop inein'bers ivilhout a corrcspoiulinpI increase in the vertical clearance or head i'ooni within ivliich the device may be. operated. This will be seen by referring lo Fig'. .'i where the positions of the levers 2() and 2l are shon'n to be horizontal for the open condition of the scoop nicn'ibers, the distance of the spread of the scoop nienibers beingl measured by the length of such levers and thc distance from the cross rods to the bolloiiis of the scoops. Furthermore, this dcgrrec of eliicicnev is attained by reason` ol thc lacl that thc levers it) and 2l of the present construction are so arrai'iged as to i'-oi'iti"ibiilc to the spreading elfect throughout their entire movement on opening the clani shell bucket.

ln operation the opening and closing` of the scoops are accomplished as above clescribed, the movements being almost horif/ontal and consequently being accomplished 'with a minimum vert-ical movement. of thc frame, thus enabling the. clam shell bucket to operate in places Where there is a loiv head, rooni or clearance, as in` the hold of a ship. This long approximately horizontal movement of the. scoop members also eifects a more eiticient operation thereof in scooping up the material.

Obviously any other leaving and co'iistruction of hoisting drumsniaybe substituted for those here shown and described without departing' from the spirit and scope of this invention, which are notl dependent upon such details.

what I claim as my invention is:

l. A clam shell bucket, comprising' a frame, links mounted on the frame, scoop members mounted on the links, levers on the frame n'iounted on the saine or approximately the same pivotal axis and connected With the. scoop niembers, cables connected Wit-h the levers for causing them to spread the scoop i'i'icnibers apart, a cable operated drum on the frame, and chains connected'to the drum and to the scoop members whereby the latter may be closed.

2. A clam shell bucket, comprising a frame, links mounted on the frame, scoop members. mounted on the links, bell crank levers on the frame mounted on the same or approximately tlie saine pivotal axis and connected with the scoopmembers, cables connected with the bell crank levers for causing them to spread the scoop sections apart, a Cable operated drum on the frame connected dittl) shell bucket to an upwardly inclined position lor the closed condition olf the clam shell bucket, cablesconnected with the levers for causing them to spread the scoop members apart, cable operated drum on the frame directly above the pivotal axis of the levers, and chains connected to the drum and to the scoop members whereby the lat-ter may be closed.

4. A clam shell bucket comprising' a iframe,

links mounted. on the lrame, scoop members mounted on the links, bell crank levers mounted on the ilrame with the same or approximately the same pivotal axis and havdistance from the links and adapted to move from an approximately horizontal position for the open condition of the scoop members to an upwardly inclined position for the closed condition of the scoop members, cables connected with the bell crank levers for causing' them to open the scoop members, a drum mounted on the frame above the pivotal axis of the bell crank levers, a cable for operating the drum, chains coi'mec'ting the drinn with the scoop members, and curved chain guides on the scoop members for varying the leverage in the diilerent positions of the scoop members during the closing` operation.

A, clam shell bucket,comprising a frame,

'links mounted on the frame, scoop members mounted on the links, bell crank levers mounted on the frame with the same or approximately the same pivotal axis and having com'iection with the scoop members at a distance from the links and adapted to move from an approximately horizontal position for the open condition of the scoop members to an upwardly inclined position for the closed condition of the scoop members, cables connected. with the bell crank levers for caus- .connected to the scoop members extending1 between the connections of the links and the bell crank levers therewith to vary the lever- `age in the diltlerent positions ol: the scoop memlfiers during' the closing` operation.

6. A clamshellbucket, comprising a frame, links mounted. on the trame, scoop members ing connection with the scoop members at a,

carried by the links, bell crank levers mounted on the frame with the same or approximately the same pivotal axis and having connection with the scoop members at a distance from the links, a drum mounted on the frame directly above the pivotal axis ot the bell crank levers, a cable connected with the drum, cables connected with the bell crank levers, chain guides on the scoop members between the connections of the links and the bell crank levers therewith, and chains connected to the drum and adjustably connected to the chain guides.

7. A clam shell. bucket, comprising a frame, links mounted on the lrame, scoop members carried by the links,vbell crank levers mounted on the frame with the same or approximately the .same pivotal axis and having' connection with. the scoop members at a distance from the links, a drum mounted on the frame directly above the pivotal axis of the bell crank levers, a cable coni'iected with the drum, cables coi'lnected with. the bell. cranklevers. chain guides on the scool.) menibers between the coni'iections oit the links and the bell crank levers therewith, chains connected to the drum and adjustably connected to the chain. guides, and chains connecting the trame with the scoop members.

8. A clam shell bucket, ,con'iprising` a frame, rods on the trame, links mounted on some of the rods ot' the trame, scoop members pro-vided with cross rods, one of the cross rods being; connected with the links, bell crank levers mounted on another rod of the frame and having connection with another cross rod of the scoop members, a drum mounted on another rod of the frame, a cable Vcom'iected with the drum, cables con.- nected with the bell crank levers, chain guides comiecting` the cross rods of the scoop members, and chains on the chain guides connected to the drum. y

9. A clam shell bucket, comprising' frame, a drum rod thereon, a pair of drums mounted on the drum rod, cables connected with the drains, there being' a pair of grooves in each of the drums, chains in the grooves ot' each drum, a pin passing' through each drum and the ends of the chains, links on the frame, scoop members carried by the links, bell crank levers mounted on the frame beneath. the drum rod and having connection withthe scoop members at a distance trom the links, cables connected with the bell crank levers, and chain guides on the scoop members having connection withv the chains.

10. A clam shellbucket, comprising a frame Y drums being provided with a pair of grooves, chains with their ends in the pairs ofgrooves, pins passing through the drums and the ends ot' the Chains, links mounted on rods ot the f nine, scoop members having Cross rods to which tlielinlis are connected, extensions on the scoop members, cross rods on the extensions, bell crank levers mounted on'one of the frame rodsbeneath the drums und conf neoted with the cross rods of the extensions, Cables connected with the bell crank levers, pulleys mounted on rods of the frame over which said Cables pass und extend through the cover in alinement with tlie'other cables, Curved chain guides. Connecting the Cross rods ot' the extensions to the cross rods of the scoop members, adjustable Connections on the chain guides for the other ends of the said chains, und Chains connecting the frame cover with the cross rods of the extensions.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signaturein presence of two Witnesses.

NILS PETER ERIK ANDERSEN. Il'itnesses R. S. C. CALDWELL, ANNA F. SCHMIDTBAUER.

Copies of this patent may be obtanedfor fivecents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. f 

